Mulch for sugar-cane and the like.



C. F. ECKART.

MULCH FOR SUGAR CANE AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I5. 1911.

1 ,274, 527 Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FRANKLIN ECKART, OF'OLAA, TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

' MULGH FOR SUGAR-CANE AND THE LIKE.

This invention relates to a mulch for sugar cane which is particularlyadapted for .use in carrying out the process described and claimed in myPatent No. 1,227,989,.

dated May 29, 1917.

In carrying out the process above referred to, the mulches have beenformed of various materials and I have found that tar and asphalt feltpapers have proved particularly successful. In using these-and othersimilar commercial papers, however, it has been found that they vary toaconsiderable extent in their efficiency as mulches, since they are notat all times'capable of being penetrated by the sugar cane shoots underthe force exerted by the growing of the shoots.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to so treat thesecommercial papers that a mulch will be produced which may always bepenetrated by the growing shoots.

I have found that, by treating the commercial papers,- such as abovereferred to, with caustic soda, caustic potash or caustic lime, thedesired mulch is produced.

The preferred method of producing the mulch consists in passing thestrip or sheet of paper through a bath of caustic soda, caustic potashor. caustic lime, the former being preferable. This solution may, ofcourse,beof any desired strength and may be either cold or hot,according to the nature of the paper which is being treated. A

hygroscopic or deliquescent salt, such as sodium chlorid or calciumchlorid, for instance, may be added to the caustic solution or appliedto the paper by separate treat ment, when desirable, to prevent thepaper from becoming too dry on subsequent exposure, the salt referred todrawing moisture from the air. passed through the bath, it is.preferably rolled immediately, that is to say, before it has anopportunity of drying. This per- Specification of Letters Patent.

Ifa refractory paper ,is'

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application filed November 15, 1917. Serial No. 202,149.

mits the caustic soda, caustic potash or caus-, tic lime, whichever isbeing used, to remain on the paper and to slowly penetrate the same. Ofcourse, on the other hand, if a paper which will readily absorb thesolution is being treated, there is no need for the rolling. Thistreatment will produce a mulch which is particularly adapted for themulching of rows of sugar cane in carrying out the method claimed in theabove referred to patent.

Assuming that caustic soda is used, it will be obvious that the mulchwill be coated with a film of caustic soda on both its upper and lowersurfaces. Upon being exposed to the air, as it is when placed over a rowof sugar cane, the usual reaction takes place, changing the caustic sodato sodium carbonate. Whether the paper is first rolled, as abovereferred to, or merely passed through the solution without rolling, thecaustic soda will persist. for a suflicient length of time topermit itto accomplish the desired result, that is to say, render 'the coveringpenetrable to the cane shoots. Of course, where the paper is rolled, thecarbonating action does not take place until after it is unrolled, dueto the fact that the air is excluded. WVhile both ofthe methods ofmaking the article produce the desired results, much less caustic soda,caustic potash or caustic lime are'used when the papers are rolled afterbeing passed through the solutions, for reasons which areperfectlyobvious. I merely explain these processes of making the article in orderto emphasize the cheapness and simplicity of the treatment, and whilethe claims of this application are directed to the article, thisdescription of these methods will serve to emphasize the value of thearticle;

When thecovering is placed upon the rows of sugar cane, i'n'the manneras set forth in the above referred to patent, the

sunshine or drying conditions will render it substantially as tough asthe untreated "paper. However, when the paper ismoisbe permitted topuncture it.' The covering does, however, require such force to puncture it that the weeds are at all times prevented from penetrating thesame, so that the process claimed in my above referred to patent may besuccessfully carried out;

In the drawing I have illustrated mulches constructed in accordance withmy invention, and which are indicated by the reference character A. At Bthe shoots which have attained s'uflicient growth to penetrate thecoverings are indicated, While at C the shoots which have not attainedsuch growth are shown in light lines. This covering is placed over therows of cane in the manner as set forth in my patent above referred to,with the trash from the previous harvest located between. the rows, asindicated at D.

From the foregoing description, it willbe seen that I have produced amulch which is particularly adapted for use in carrying out the processof. my above referred to patent, which mulch is formed from variouscommercial papers, such as tar and asphalt felts and other similarpapers, by passing the same through the desired caustic solution, andeither permitting them to dry without rolling or rolling and permittingthem to dry more slowly. I, of course, contemplate the production of thearticleby various and sundry methods and while numerous methods might behere enumerated, the above described-methods will suflice to illustratethe manner in which the article is produced.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, consisting of abody of fibrous material impregnated with the hydroxid of a metal.

2. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, consisting of a body of fibrousmaterial impregnated with a substance which will render it pervious tothe cane shoots and impervious to the weeds.

3. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, which consists of a toughmaterial impregnated with a substance which, upon the application ofmoisture tothe mulch, will-render the latter pervious to the caneshoots. 4. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, consisting of a body; offibrous material impregnated with an alkali hydroxid.

5. A mulch for sugar cane and the like,

consisting of a body of fibrous material ll'l'lv pregnated with sodiumhydroxid 6. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, l

consisting of a body of fibrous material impregnated or coated with analkali hydroXid and a hygroscopic or deliquescent salt.

7. A mulch for sugar cane and the like, consisting of a body of fibrousmaterial impregnated or coated witha hygroscopic or deliquescent' salt.I In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES FRANKLIN ECKART.

